Undergraduate nursing student academic resilience during medical surgical clinical practicum: A constructivist analysis of Taiwanese experience

Abstract

Background: Nursing students often experience a reality shock in the course of their practicums that can significantly impact their studies. Purpose: This study aimed to explore the academic resilience of undergraduate nursing students during their Adulting Nursing practicums and identify protective factors to mitigate their impact. Methods: The constructivist grounded theory approach enabled us to explore nursing students' academic resilience in their practicums. Purposive and theoretical sampling was used to recruit 19 participants. Individual in-depth interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. The constant comparative method directed theoretical sampling. The criteria of credibility, originality, resonance, and usefulness were considered to ensure the quality and trustworthiness of the study. Results: The main challenges were related to facilitators, the environment, and application of techniques. Students reported feelings of ‘walking on thin ice’ and doubts about their decision to pursue a nursing career. Academic resilience was identified as the ability to maintain optimism while facing challenges. Participants concluded that overcoming their ignorance through practical learning was an important outcome of the process of developing academic resilience. Conclusion: The findings highlight the need for facilitators to re-examine their teaching strategies and provide supplementary support to help students to improve their academic resilience.